Melinda’s expertise as an art therapist emerges from over 25 years as a visual artist and Arts educator. She holds a Master’s Degree in Therapeutic art practice and is a registered art therapist with ANZACATA, the peak professional body representing creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region.

Melinda has extensive experience teaching creative Arts to children and young people, and for many years worked in juvenile justice as a therapeutic art teacher. Her approach is strongly grounded in trauma-informed care and neuro-affirming, culturally responsive practice. She has a growing interest in family systems, trauma-informed sensorimotor art therapy practices and how art therapy can support individuals process grief and loss and find healing through difficult transitions.

Her own love of being in the natural world, of finding connection to the animate other-than-human world, through walking, contemplative practice, somatic movement, 5-rhythms dancing and her own professional art practice, is woven through the empowering and healing work she undertakes with others as a creative arts therapist.